It’s not uncommon for misinformation to spread and create confusion in the world of oral care. The truth is, avoiding myths and sticking to sound advice can help you maintain your healthy smile.
It’s a common misconception that routine dental visits are only necessary when you have an issue to address. However, dentists are adept at spotting early signs of tooth decay and gum disease before they escalate into painful and costly issues.
1. Tooth Decay Is Genetic
Despite popular belief, tooth decay is not genetic. It’s caused by bacteria metabolizing sugar, which produces acid that damages enamel and causes cavities. It’s also caused by habits like smoking, which decreases saliva production, leaving teeth vulnerable to food particles that bacteria can capitalize on.
Dental treatments, including crowns and fillings, do not prevent teeth from developing new cavities. However, if you develop a cavity in an area that has already been restored, it will become more severe than it would have been had you avoided the restoration.
Scientists have found that genetics do determine some oral health aspects, including the thickness of enamel and how the body reacts to colonies of bacteria. Nevertheless, the majority of cavities are not genetic. The most common cause of tooth decay is poor oral hygiene. It’s essential that everyone brushes and flosses regularly.
2. Toothbrushing Isn’t Enough
The internet is overflowing with unsolicited advice about how to care for your teeth. Some of it is accurate, but much of it is false or misleading. Understanding the difference between dental myths and facts can help you stay healthy throughout your life.
Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing are crucial to dental health, but they’re not enough on their own. You also need to rinse with mouthwash, brush after every meal, and visit the dentist regularly.
Studies show that oral disease is the leading cause of sickness worldwide, affecting more than 3.9 billion people. This makes it essential to maintain good oral hygiene practices and avoid skipping regular appointments with the dentist in Mamaroneck, NY and Stamford, CT. This will prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems from developing. Also, it will enable your dentist to catch any problems early on so they can be treated before they become serious.
3. Toothbrushing Is Painful
Using the wrong toothbrush or brushing too vigorously can cause tooth and gum pain. This pain is caused by abrasion of the enamel or dentin by a hard bristled brush. It also can be caused by cracks in a tooth that expose the inner pulp tissue. The pain is typically brief and stops once the trigger has been removed.
Bleeding gums during or after brushing is a sign of gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease. If left untreated, gum disease can progress to tooth loss and even health issues like heart disease.
Routine oral care is the best way to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Regular visits to the dentist, combined with proper brushing and flossing can prevent problems before they develop. They can save you time, money and discomfort in the long run.
4. You Only Need to Visit the Dentist When You Have a Problem
Many people assume that if their teeth are healthy, they don’t need to visit the dentist on a regular basis. However, this is a very dangerous assumption to make!
Without regular appointments, any small dental issue will quickly get out of control. For example, a cavity that’s not treated will eventually grow until it reaches the center of the tooth and requires a root canal procedure. Gingivitis can lead to bone loss and the need for gum surgery. Tooth decay can spread, affecting other teeth and causing malocclusions (an overbite or underbite). If you want to turn things around for the better, visit Patient Connect for more info on Progressive Dental Center and its services.
Everyone should visit the dentist at least every six months. This allows the dentist to catch issues like early cavities and gum disease before they become painful and costly. It’s also very important for pregnant women, smokers, diabetics, and those with a weak immune system to see the dentist more frequently.
5. Dental Implants Are a Cosmetic Treatment
Dental implants offer a permanent replacement for missing teeth. They are fashioned from porcelain, which allows them to look and feel like natural teeth. They also fuse to the bone in the jaw under the gums in a process called osseointegration.
When a tooth is replaced with an implant, it stimulates the bone to replenish the old and weak tissue, thus maintaining the strength of the jaw. This is not the case with dentures or a dental bridge, which do not provide stimulation and therefore allow the bone to thin and become weak over time.
However, dental implants are considered cosmetic procedures, similar to veneers, and so do not get covered by dental insurance plans. Because they offer more benefits than other treatment options, they are worth the investment. Dental implants are very durable and easy to care for, so they last for decades.
6. You Can’t Catch the Flu from the Vaccine
People may be under the impression that getting the flu is no big deal because “so-and-so had it and didn’t really feel bad.” Unfortunately, the flu can lead to serious health complications, especially in young children, elderly adults, and patients with chronic diseases. The flu is also very contagious, and it’s common to spread it to others.
Vaccines do not cause the flu, and they’re safe for most healthy people. However, some individuals may experience mild reactions from the shot, which usually last for 2 weeks and are far less severe than the actual flu. It’s important to get a flu vaccine every year, as the virus mutates each season. The CDC recommends that all individuals receive their vaccine at a doctor’s office. This ensures that the vaccine is administered properly, and that it will protect against the most dangerous strains.
7. Brushing Too Hard Is Bad for Your Teeth
While brushing hard is better than not brushing at all, excessive force may wear down your tooth enamel. This can cause sensitivity and expose the dentin, which has tiny tubules that connect to nerves in your teeth. This can increase your sensitivity to hot and cold foods. It can also harm your gums, leading to receding gums.
Vigorous brushing is a common mistake that can harm your oral health. To avoid this, brush gently and for two minutes each time. Be sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Also, don’t brush after eating acidic foods. Wait about 30-60 minutes before brushing, giving your tooth enamel the chance to remineralize. This prevents your enamel from wearing down too quickly and makes you more susceptible to cavities.
8. Snack Foods Are Bad for Your Teeth
The foods we eat play a big role in our dental health. While sweets are the most obvious culprits, snack foods can also harm teeth and gums. Foods that are sticky, like chips and crackers, stay longer in the mouth than chewed and swallowed foods, allowing bacteria to thrive and produce acids that can erode tooth enamel.
Crunchy foods, like crisp chips and hard pretzels, can get wedged between the teeth, leading to painful complications such as gum disease and cavities. Sticky foods, such as dried fruit, are even worse, as they cling to the teeth and the crevices of the mouth. These types of snacks should be avoided, or eaten sparingly. If you do eat them, make sure to rinse and floss well afterwards.
9. Smoking Is Bad for Your Teeth
It’s not in dispute that smoking is bad for your overall health. Smoking tobacco products stains teeth, causes bad breath, and increases your risk of losing your teeth and developing oral cancer. These negative effects can be exacerbated if you use smokeless tobacco like chewing gum.
Smoking can also make it difficult to treat dental problems like gum disease and cavities. Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it’s more likely to occur in smokers. Flossing and brushing twice daily can prevent this problem, but smoking can still make it hard to manage plaque and tartar. Additionally, smoking makes it harder to detect mouth cancer at the early stages when it’s easiest to cure. This is another reason why it’s important to see your dentist every six months. They can identify potential issues before they become serious.
10. Flossing Isn’t as Critical as My Dentist Claims
While it is true that flossing removes food debris nestled between the teeth, this is not its only benefit. Flossing is also the best way to eliminate plaque and bacteria near the gum line that cause gingivitis (the early stage of gum disease) and tooth decay.
When plaque and bacteria accumulate, they calcify into a hard substance called tartar. Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed with brushing alone and requires professional scaling to remove it.
Gum disease and other oral health problems don’t just impact your teeth, they can lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease. It’s important to follow a regular dental care routine and visit the dentist regularly to prevent dental issues from progressing. Also, be sure to tell your dentist that you are pregnant, as certain treatments are unsafe for pregnant women.